Liverpool should not wait forever for Kenny Dalglish, but should give him one more season before looking for a new manager if results do not improve.
Liverpool may have won their three games against Everton this season by an aggregate of 7-1, but in the league they now sit two points below the Toffees.
West Brom can now be added to Wigan, in teams in the bottom half who have won at ‘fortress’ Anfield over the past month, and for Liverpool fans yesterday’s game was a case of de ja vu as the side dominated but spurned chance after chance.
At the end of the game supporters had a resigned ‘story of out season’ attitude, placated only by cup success, but if results are the same a year on- patience will fast be running out.
For many, it is already. There are a section of fans fed up with Dalglish’s wasting money in transfer market last summer, and – ironically many would say – want Rafa Benitez back.
Dalglish though, who has brought Liverpool their first piece of silverware for six years this season, and can win another next month, at least deserves one more season.
Even his harshest critic would admit that Liverpool at present are a work in progress.
Last summer Dalglish threw a lot of expensive mud at the wall, to see if any would stick. Now it is his job to clean it up, and make a prettier pattern.
On this coming summer, and the results next season, should he be properly judged. For winning silverware he should be thanked, it is an achievement whatever detractors may say about the Carling Cup.
When it comes to overall progression, this is where he should be given an ultimatum for next season, for it is regression we are witnessing.
Through his failure to find consistency this season, he has created a real problem for himself and owner John Henry.
How much money does the American make available to Dalglish to improve the squad?
Despite spending millions on players, Liverpool have regressed rather than moved forwards, so is it a big risk for Henry to give King Kenny more funds?
We will see over the coming seasons just how deep his pockets are, with many suggesting it would take another £100 million to drag this Liverpool side to where they want to be, challenging for the title.
His problem is this. What if he gives Dalglish another £100 million only for him to blow it on more average Joes and mediocre players.
If he does and results do not improve, Dalglish will likely either resign or be forced out.
And then what? A new manager comes in – and what does he want? More money to stamp his own authority on the club.
All the more reason to use academy starlets to inject freshness into the squad and save money in the transfer market. Whether this will actually happen is again debatable.
The more you look at it, last summer was such a wasted opportunity for Liverpool. This summer cannot be the same. The question is how much money will be afforded to Dalglish to put it right.
How much money and time should John W Henry give Kenny Dalglish?
image: © mobilephotosheidenstrom
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
